We’ve seen a variety of strange connections between people and wild creatures, but a human being befriending a wild, massive crocodile seems a little excessive. But all lives count to this caring Costa Rican, so when he saw a seriously injured crocodile languishing on the edge of a river, he hurried to aid the helpless beast. What followed was the most incredible friendship a person and a wild beast could possibly have.
Pacho, the crocodile, was first encountered by Gilberto “Chito” Shedden, a local fisherman and wildlife enthusiast from the city of Siquirres in Costa Rica’s Limón region, in 1989.
The 1200 pound lizard was found on the bank of the Reventazón-Parismina River, and its destiny appeared to be sealed after a cattle farmer gravely damaged it. Gilberto, on the other hand, was determined to nurture the big beast back to health, so he grabbed it, loaded it into his boat, and drove it back to his house.
For the next six months or so, the kind fisherman cared for the helpless crocodile-like it was his own child. Chito fed his new friend over 65lb of meat every single day, to help it too fully recover. But to do so, Pacho needed more than just food!
“The food was insufficient. “The crocodile need my affection in order to rediscover its desire to life,” Chito told the Tico Times. “I simply wanted him to know that someone cared about him, that not everyone is nasty.”
Pacho’s condition improved dramatically as a result of its caretaker’s affection and comfort, and when the time came, Chito chose to release it back into the wild. Surprisingly, the crocodile refused to leave the guy who had treated it with such love. They were inseparable from that point forward. The two buddies have lived every day together for the following 22 years, with the rescued crocodile residing in a pond close to Gilberto’s house!
In the 2000s, the duo received international attention after appearing in the documentary ‘The Man Who Swims With Crocodiles.’ Chito and his best friend Pacho used to perform for visitors on an artificial lake at Finca Las Tilapias for almost a decade. Though it may appear impossible for a man to swim and play with a big crocodile, Chito has never been concerned that his buddy may harm him.
“After two or three years, something could happen, maybe… but after 22 years of loving each other, nothing has ever happened, so I don’t think so,” the man said.
On October 12th, 2011, the friendly crocodile passed away, from natural causes. It is believed it was over 60-year-old. But its inspiring friendship with the man who saved its life will remain forever.
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